Calgary Hitmen (19-6-0-0, 2nd in Eastern Conference)  
 
Top scorers: Brandon Kozun (11+34=45), Michael Stone (12+11=23), Joel Broda (10+13=23), Tyler Fiddler (12+9=21)  
 
Top scoring defenceman: Stone (12+11=23)  
 
Probable starting goaltender: Like the Wheat Kings, the Hitmen have been splitting time between two goalies. If the trend of the last few games continues, it's Michael Snider's (8-2-0, 0.926 save pct, 2.09 goals against average) turn.  
 
Manitobans: John Lawrence (Newdale), Michael Stone (Winnipeg)  
 
 
 
Brandon Wheat Kings (14-10-0-2, 5th in Eastern Conference)  
 
Top scorers: Brayden Schenn (12+25=37), Matt Calvert (15+19=34), Jay Fehr (10+19=29), Scott Glennie (11+16=27)  
 
Top scoring defenceman: Colby Robak (6+16=22)  
 
Probable starting goaltender: Never an easy guessing game, but based on Hayes starting both Tuesday and Wednesday I'll guess that Jacob De Serres (3-5-0-1, 0.871 save pct, 3.95 goals against average) gets the call tonight with Hayes playing tomorrow night in Moose Jaw.  
 
 
 
While still one of the league's top teams, the Hitmen are a different club than the one that knocked the Wheat Kings out of the 2009 WHL playoffs. Much of their offense has been built around Brandon Kozun, who has factored into more than half of their goals (Kozun: a league-leading 45 points, Hitmen: 88 total goals). Not only that, but he has approx twice as many points as anyone else on the Calgary Roster (Broda, Stone have 23).  
 
Wheat Kings' Brayden Schenn will be looking to continue his torrid pace, having racked up 4 goals and 12 assists during a 6 game scoring streak. The Wheat Kings themselves have amassed 31 goals over those same six games while giving up 27.  
 
These two teams have played one other time this season, a 4-3 Calgary shootout win at Westman Place on October 7.  
 
Lineups and scratches will be added to this thread at the usual time. Would be great to hear peoples' thoughts on the matchup.  
 
Edited by Adam, 2009-11-20 10:01:14

If the W/K's play a defensivly minded game and our goalie makes a few saves,I predict a 4-2 win by the W/K's (4th goal into empty net).If they play run and gun with Calgary we will lose 6-4.

I hate to be pessimistic but it's Friday night and we're at home so you can basically count on a WK loss. Actually we always seem to play very hard against the top teams like Calgary and Saskatoon so I am expecting another great effort from our boys but in the end we will come up on the short-end of the stick say 5-3 Calgary is my guess.  
 
As I've been saying for the last 2 months of Friday night home games, "C'mon boys, please prove me wrong."

against a real good opponent. They'll need to step it up. Only way they win this game is if Hayes or De Serres steals the game, simple as that!

6-2 Calgary.

Interesting to note a couple of the splits in Friday games..  
 
In 5 games, Andrew Hayes has a 3.62 GAA  
In 3 games, Jacob De Serres has a 2.33 GAA  
 
Brayden Schenn in 7 Friday games has 0 goals and 4 assists.  
Scott Glennie is the only player at a point-per-Friday-game(3 goals, 5 assists in 8 games)  
 
I'll go all stats geek and rationalize that if De Serres gets the start and Schenn continues his streak, tonight's the night that the team improves its 2-7-0 Friday night record.  
 
 
 
Edited by Adam, 2009-11-20 11:13:45

Brandon fans picking with their frustrated emotion instead of their heart! It isn't even Christmas yet for crying out loud!! This team has plenty of offense and are very cabable of beating the Hitman on home ice infront of a large supporting crowd. 4-2 Bdn.  
 
How about this idea. Toronto sends Luke Schenn down to Kelowna for the rest of the year. Kelly makes a trade and the Schenn brothers play together for MEM CUP!!!!!  
 
LOL just a dream but not exactly something that couldn't happen.

Your not sorry! said "Brandon fans picking with their frustrated emotion instead of their heart! It isn't even Christmas yet for crying out loud!! This team has plenty of offense and are very cabable of beating the Hitman on home ice infront of a large supporting crowd. 4-2 Bdn.     How about this idea. Toronto sends Luke Schenn down to Kelowna for the rest of the year. Kelly makes a trade and the Schenn brothers play together for MEM CUP!!!!!     LOL just a dream but not exactly something that couldn't happen. "

Luke has played more than the 10 games in the NHL. His junior career is over.  

"Sbisa began his season as a member of the Flyers and played 39 NHL games before being sent back to the Canes in early February."  
 
Unless, because he is an import the rules are different it can happen.

they have to prove to everyone in the league, their fans and themselves that just talent isn't enough..I predict a loss against a very good team only because they haven't faired well against strong teams..i hope and want them to win but I don't think they will..but I'll be cheering anyways

Your not sorry! said ""Sbisa began his season as a member of the Flyers and played 39 NHL games before being sent back to the Canes in early February."     Unless, because he is an import the rules are different it can happen. "

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 10 game rule has to do with how much money the player is paid. Once you've played ten, you must be paid a pro contract... which is why some players get a 9 game look before being sent back to junior.  
 
That said, Luke's a 1989 which makes this his 20 year old season. I'm sure if the Leafs decided for whatever reason that he needed some extra seasoning at a lower level that the AHL is where he'd be getting it. As cool of a story line as it would be to have both play together in the Mem Cup, there isn't anything left for him to learn in the WHL after playing 1+ seasons against the best players in the world.  
 
 
 
Edited by Adam, 2009-11-20 12:38:17

only played 8 games for the ducks this season. It has nothing to do with the # of games. He was sent to Lethbridge because he's still 19 years old and eligible to play in the WHL. This year counts towards his NHL contract and thus for getting paid for it. Instead of sending him to the AHL (which he is eligible for) or the ECHL, they rather have him play a ton with Lethbridge. Kind of a weird situation considering he's played close to 50 NHL games.

I thought Schenn played in Toronto as an 18 year old last year. My mistake.

WK44 said "only played 8 games for the ducks this season. It has nothing to do with the # of games. He was sent to Lethbridge because he's still 19 years old and eligible to play in the WHL. This year counts towards his NHL contract and thus for getting paid for it. Instead of sending him to the AHL (which he is eligible for) or the ECHL, they rather have him play a ton with Lethbridge. Kind of a weird situation considering he's played close to 50 NHL games. "

Did a bit of digging..  
 
A junior-aged player with a contract can play up to nine NHL games as a trial period. If he is returned to junior before the tenth game, his contract is effectively put on hold: when he goes to training camp the following season, he will be in the first year of his contract.  
Once the player appears in his tenth NHL game, his contract kicks in. He can still be returned to his junior club after that. But at season's end, a full contract year will expire.  
 
http://proicehockey.about.com/od/collegeandjuniorhockey/f/nhl_juniors.htm  

So he can be sent back but financially the team is on the hook for his salary for the year. It's a money issue.

Yes, he is a euro. Normally he would be AHL eligible regardless of age. But my understanding of the rule is this: it doesn`t matter where you`re from (nationality) but where you were drafted from (CHL, Swedish Elite League, etc.). Because he was drafted as a member of the Hurricanes, he cannot play AHL hockey until he is 20.  
 
Luke Schenn could still play junior hockey as a 20 year old. But because he`s 20, he can play AHL instead. IMO, he should`ve been returned to Kelowna last season, it would`ve helped his development 10 fold compared to spending the season with the Leafs.

WK44 said "only played 8 games for the ducks this season. It has nothing to do with the # of games. He was sent to Lethbridge because he's still 19 years old and eligible to play in the WHL. This year counts towards his NHL contract and thus for getting paid for it. Instead of sending him to the AHL (which he is eligible for) or the ECHL, they rather have him play a ton with Lethbridge. Kind of a weird situation considering he's played close to 50 NHL games. "

Sbisa certainly was a weird situation last year as teams rarely will send a player down after 10 games because they have to pay the NHL salary if they return the player after 10 games. Sbisa is not eligible for the AHL or ECHL though as he was drafted out of the WHL. There were only three options: keep him in the NHL, send him back to junior, or Sbisa could go back to Europe.  
 
With regards to Luke Schenn, he was a late birthday and was actually drafted prior to his WHL 19 y/o season (a year later than his peers), thus the reason a previous poster thought last year was his 18 y/o season.

You are drafted the year of your 18 year old season. For example, Brayden Schenn was only 17 when he was drafted, however, he had played his 18 yr old season. He is currently playing his 19 yr old season. (Calvert is still only 19, playing as a 20). Your first season of pro is as a 19 yr old, although you are possibly only 18 yrs old.

Not always gwg. There is a birthdate cutoff of September 21, 22 or somewhere around there. If you are born before that date you are drafted in your 17 year old season. After it you have to wait til you're 18. This is why we had to wait an extra year to see Ovechkin in the NHL. He was born just after the cutoff date. Luke Schenn was born after, so had to wait until after his 18 season. Brayden was born before the cutoff so was drafted after last years 17 year old season.  
 
also remember that your 'hockey age' is your age as of December 31 the year the season started.  
 
Some peoples' heads are probably spinning right now wondering what the heck this has to do with the Calgary Hitmen

Rumor mill is wide open regarding guys being dealt sooner than later. An under 500 club hosting a Mem Cup is not something to appealing to 3500 season ticket holders and a possible 5500 sold out tickets if we can light a spark with the entire team, not just rely on key players. But it does have advantages, it gets a lot of press.  
 
As one can only add personal opinion to involve a trade thought but this is what I see coming down the pipes and who will be involved in a trade....  
 
Glennie, Hall, Melnychuk, De Serres, Fehr, Hale and Schnieder  
 
Some of these guys will be dealt before the new year. For who, well Linden Rowat is a contending game winning tender who can steal games. He is 20 and would lead to a departing under performing 20yr old.  
 
Glennie, Hall, and Melnychuk or Schnieder or both for Eberle and Tuebert.  
 
Wheaton King will be sent to AAA or Portage if not traded.  
 
Hale will be an HS or on the 5th line or injury replacement unless he is dealt or gets his mean streak going. Not the best guy to have as an enforcer when he will not drop the gloves and challenge guys to protect Brandon's top players.  
 
Van De Velde was picked up for a future deal.  
 
And somehow I could see Kyle Beach making it into the WHK line up somehow.  
 
Just my thoughts I am sure everyone will have opinions.  
 
 
Edited by Bobbaboey, 2009-11-20 14:42:33

What makes you think Glennie is available to anybody? There is pretty much three untouchable players on the team this year. Schenn, Calvert, Glennie and Robak, are all elite players in this league and won't be traded. Everybody else, isn't guaranteed a job...if I was running the team. Glennie is an elite scorer in this league, and won't even be mentioned in trade talks.  
 
I have been reading and hearing a lot about a package deal to Lethbridge involving Ashton/Rowat and possibly Reddington. That would address quite a bit of our needs immediately, with a goaltender that is a proven winner in this league with a power forward Ashton who would fit well on our second line. And it adds a MC Cup experienced player in Reddington. Lethbridge has admitted they are quite animate with working with their two 17 year old goaltenders.

Adam said "    WK44 said "only played 8 games for the ducks this season. It has nothing to do with the # of games. He was sent to Lethbridge because he's still 19 years old and eligible to play in the WHL. This year counts towards his NHL contract and thus for getting paid for it. Instead of sending him to the AHL (which he is eligible for) or the ECHL, they rather have him play a ton with Lethbridge. Kind of a weird situation considering he's played close to 50 NHL games. " Did a bit of digging..     A junior-aged player with a contract can play up to nine NHL games as a trial period. If he is returned to junior before the tenth game, his contract is effectively put on hold: when he goes to training camp the following season, he will be in the first year of his contract.   Once the player appears in his tenth NHL game, his contract kicks in. He can still be returned to his junior club after that. But at season's end, a full contract year will expire.     http://proicehockey.about.com/od/collegeandjuniorhockey/f/nhl_juniors.htm   "

is partially correct.  
 
After 9 games it eats the first year of his ELC.  
 
After 40 games it peels a year back on his eligiblity for UFA

This is the return of Del Cowan to WCP tonight. Will have a ton of energy and will receive an outstanding ovation as people appreciate the nightly 100% effort this guy put in for 2 plus years in Brandon. He was also left of the manitobans on the hitmen list, just to point out.

Hello, I'm Magical :D said "What makes you think Glennie is available to anybody? There is pretty much three untouchable players on the team this year. Schenn, Calvert, Glennie and Robak, are all elite players in this league and won't be traded. Everybody else, isn't guaranteed a job...if I was running the team. Glennie is an elite scorer in this league, and won't even be mentioned in trade talks.     I have been reading and hearing a lot about a package deal to Lethbridge involving Ashton/Rowat and possibly Reddington. That would address quite a bit of our needs immediately, with a goaltender that is a proven winner in this league with a power forward Ashton who would fit well on our second line. And it adds a MC Cup experienced player in Reddington. Lethbridge has admitted they are quite animate with working with their two 17 year old goaltenders. "

Glennie OR Eberle  
 
I would personally pick Eberle in a heartbeat.  
 
Eberle is a more complete player.

TeamCanada said "    Hello, I'm Magical :D said "What makes you think Glennie is available to anybody? There is pretty much three untouchable players on the team this year. Schenn, Calvert, Glennie and Robak, are all elite players in this league and won't be traded. Everybody else, isn't guaranteed a job...if I was running the team. Glennie is an elite scorer in this league, and won't even be mentioned in trade talks.     I have been reading and hearing a lot about a package deal to Lethbridge involving Ashton/Rowat and possibly Reddington. That would address quite a bit of our needs immediately, with a goaltender that is a proven winner in this league with a power forward Ashton who would fit well on our second line. And it adds a MC Cup experienced player in Reddington. Lethbridge has admitted they are quite animate with working with their two 17 year old goaltenders. " Glennie OR Eberle     I would personally pick Eberle in a heartbeat.     Eberle is a more complete player. "

definetely wins that trade.  
 
Regina doesn't do it because they get a mediocre dman and a fringe WHL'er for their two best players.  
 
Glennie is useless for them as there is about a 50-50 chance he is back next year.  
 
The trade probably goes  
 
Stone, Depape and a couple 1st rounders - Eberle, Teubert.

wheatiefan44 said "    TeamCanada said "    Hello, I'm Magical :D said "What makes you think Glennie is available to anybody? There is pretty much three untouchable players on the team this year. Schenn, Calvert, Glennie and Robak, are all elite players in this league and won't be traded. Everybody else, isn't guaranteed a job...if I was running the team. Glennie is an elite scorer in this league, and won't even be mentioned in trade talks.     I have been reading and hearing a lot about a package deal to Lethbridge involving Ashton/Rowat and possibly Reddington. That would address quite a bit of our needs immediately, with a goaltender that is a proven winner in this league with a power forward Ashton who would fit well on our second line. And it adds a MC Cup experienced player in Reddington. Lethbridge has admitted they are quite animate with working with their two 17 year old goaltenders. " Glennie OR Eberle     I would personally pick Eberle in a heartbeat.     Eberle is a more complete player. " definetely wins that trade.     Regina doesn't do it because they get a mediocre dman and a fringe WHL'er for their two best players.     Glennie is useless for them as there is about a 50-50 chance he is back next year.     The trade probably goes     Stone, Depape and a couple 1st rounders - Eberle, Teubert. "

Stone, Depape shouldn't be traded...to Regina anyways.  
 
I'd rather trade with some of the west coast teams.  

TeamCanada said "    wheatiefan44 said "    TeamCanada said "    Hello, I'm Magical :D said "What makes you think Glennie is available to anybody? There is pretty much three untouchable players on the team this year. Schenn, Calvert, Glennie and Robak, are all elite players in this league and won't be traded. Everybody else, isn't guaranteed a job...if I was running the team. Glennie is an elite scorer in this league, and won't even be mentioned in trade talks.     I have been reading and hearing a lot about a package deal to Lethbridge involving Ashton/Rowat and possibly Reddington. That would address quite a bit of our needs immediately, with a goaltender that is a proven winner in this league with a power forward Ashton who would fit well on our second line. And it adds a MC Cup experienced player in Reddington. Lethbridge has admitted they are quite animate with working with their two 17 year old goaltenders. " Glennie OR Eberle     I would personally pick Eberle in a heartbeat.     Eberle is a more complete player. " definetely wins that trade.     Regina doesn't do it because they get a mediocre dman and a fringe WHL'er for their two best players.     Glennie is useless for them as there is about a 50-50 chance he is back next year.     The trade probably goes     Stone, Depape and a couple 1st rounders - Eberle, Teubert. " Stone, Depape shouldn't be traded...to Regina anyways.     I'd rather trade with some of the west coast teams.   "

If you aren't willing to give up bonafide prospects teams aren't going to be trading you top guys. Thats why teams are trading, for top prospects so they can be better in the future.  
 
Who the hell is going to trade their best two players for the future, only to have Hall and Melnychuk left out of "the future"  
 

what is with people thinking we need more offence? we need solid D and goaltending.

Hello, I'm Magical :D said "What makes you think Glennie is available to anybody? There is pretty much three untouchable players on the team this year. Schenn, Calvert, Glennie and Robak, are all elite players in this league and won't be traded. Everybody else, isn't guaranteed a job...if I was running the team. Glennie is an elite scorer in this league, and won't even be mentioned in trade talks.     I have been reading and hearing a lot about a package deal to Lethbridge involving Ashton/Rowat and possibly Reddington. That would address quite a bit of our needs immediately, with a goaltender that is a proven winner in this league with a power forward Ashton who would fit well on our second line. And it adds a MC Cup experienced player in Reddington. Lethbridge has admitted they are quite animate with working with their two 17 year old goaltenders. "

won't trade for Rowat, I all but guarantee it. Why would he, when he could have picked him up for a song at the start of the season.  
 
Plus, compare his numbers to Hayes, and Hayes wins almost across the board. Hayes has better career winning %, GAA, save %, and equal number of shut outs, despite playing 110 fewer games in the WHL.

cowan4life said "This is the return of Del Cowan to WCP tonight. Will have a ton of energy and will receive an outstanding ovation as people appreciate the nightly 100% effort this guy put in for 2 plus years in Brandon. He was also left of the manitobans on the hitmen list, just to point out. "

Thanks for this cowan4life. I went up and down their roster two times and completely glazed over Del's name.  
 
That alone should make it a fun game to watch. You know that Del's the kind of player that's going to push just a bit harder against his old team.  
 
The other plotline for tonight is that the game is being televised live on Shaw across Western Canada  
 
Edited by Adam, 2009-11-20 17:03:26